With local elections happening across Suffolk, Leading Lives is proud to announce that we will be supporting the National Campaign ‘My Vote My Voice’, supporting people with learning disabilities and autistic people to use their vote.
Politics affects every single one of us, and often impact more on people with learning disabilities and autistic people. One of our customers, Stuart, told us that he usually votes but he wants politicians to know “that a vote is not just a cross in a box and they should listen to people.” Currently, he is very concerned about the NHS and the long waits for ambulances as he has epilepsy and needs to know he can access medical care promptly when needed. He is also concerned about local issues like making sure that speed limits in residential areas are suitable and properly enforced.
The My Vote My Voice campaign aims to ensure every autistic adult or adult with a learning disability knows they have the right to vote, knows the practical steps to register to vote and submit their vote, and make sure they have information about the different political choices they can make.
Although there’s more than a year to go before the next general election, we are planning to share the campaign’s information and resources at regular intervals to support our customers and to have their voices heard. We’ve already shared guidance with our teams on how to talk about politics without influencing people, and where to find factual information to share to support people to make their own decisions on polling day.
To find out more about the campaign, or get involved, follow this link – Why My Vote My Voice matters – My Vote My Voice
